Xinshao Seedless Ponkan is a new male-sterile, female-sterile bud mutation variety selected from common Ponkan in 1990. It passed the provincial evaluation in December 1993 and attracted considerable attention when exhibited at the Hunan New Technology and New Variety Expo in May 1994. Xinshao Seedless Ponkan features large, brightly colored fruits, thin skin, no seeds, crisp flesh...
Dried sweet potatoes The method of making dried sweet potatoes is relatively simple: wash the sweet potatoes, steam them in a pot until cooked, then slice and sun-dry them. They turn a golden-yellow color with a slight red tint, have a sweet flavor, and offer an endlessly chewy taste. They are a beloved delicacy loved by all. …
There are many varieties of Baoqing chilies, including lantern peppers, wrinkled-skin peppers, and bullhorn peppers, presenting a riot of colors. But the most renowned is the Baoqing facing-heaven chili. It has been listed as one of China's six top-quality chili varieties in the book *China’s Fine Vegetable Varieties*. The dried Baoqing chilies processed from it have long been famous worldwide. Chili peppers originated in South America—in Mexico and...
Nan Bamboo Series Suining County is one of China’s key forested areas, with a forest coverage rate of 80%. It has 28,005.1 hectares of nan bamboo groves and 70 million standing bamboo poles, with diameters of 0.9–1.5 chi (approximately 30–50 cm) or more. The annual allowable harvest is 4 million poles. Due to the fast growth, short cycle, and wide range of comprehensive uses, nan bamboo is gaining increasing popularity...
Job's tears is a specialty of Hunan, also known as coix seed, Job's tears rice, Job's tears kernel, native corn, Job's tears, qishi, Job's tears bead, grass bead, Huihui rice, rice kernel, or six-grain. It is a famous and commonly consumed food in Hunan. With a sweet, bland, and slightly cool nature, it has various benefits such as promoting diuresis to reduce swelling, strengthening the spleen to eliminate dampness, relaxing tendons to relieve numbness, clearing heat, and draining pus...
Also known as the "fragrant musk deer." A rare animal. Primarily found in the mountainous regions of southern and western Hunan, especially abundant on Shunhuang Mountain in Xinning. Its fur is dark brown mixed with orange-red, the belly is yellowish-white, and the back features two prominent white longitudinal stripes or oval spots. It has a small body, measuring 65–95 cm in length and weighing 8–13 kg. Its teeth protrude slightly beyond the lips and curve downward...
Xinning shiitake mushrooms are tender in texture, delicious in flavor, uniquely aromatic, and rich in nutrients. They also offer certain medicinal benefits, making them a true "health food." Analysis shows that 100 grams of dried shiitake mushrooms contain 13 grams of protein, 1.8 grams of fat, 54 grams of carbohydrates, 25 milligrams of iron, vitamin B1…
Xinning navel oranges are a new variety cultivated by the agricultural department of Xinning County from Washington navel oranges and have a cultivation history of nearly 60 years. From 1979 to 1981, they participated in the National Citrus Evaluation Conference hosted by the Chinese Research Institute for three consecutive years and were rated as first-class high-quality individual plants nationwide every year. In 1980, Xinning County was designated by the Ministry of Agriculture and...
During the 1985 national survey of traditional Chinese medicinal resources, large areas of the precious herb known as "southern ginseng"—Gynostemma—were discovered in our county. On July 25, 1987, after evaluation organized by the Provincial Science and Technology Commission, the total saponin content of Suining Gynostemma was found to have reached an advanced level among similar domestic research projects. In October 1988, both Suining Gynostemma tea and…
The Sui Ning Flower Pig is a specialty of Sui Ning County, Shaoyang City, Hunan Province. It boasts high-quality meat with rich nutritional value (for example, the protein content in the longissimus dorsi muscle of meat pigs reaches 22.37%), strong adaptability to coarse feed, excellent maternal traits, high lean meat ratio, strong reproductive capacity, adaptability, disease resistance, and notable hybrid vigor. The “Sui Ning Flower Pig” was originally called the Qian...
Sui Ning Winter Bamboo Shoots are a specialty of Sui Ning County in Shaoyang City, Hunan Province. The Phyllostachys pubescens (Moso bamboo) in Sui Ning sprout early, yield abundantly, and produce plump, robust shoots that are sold to major cities such as Guangdong, Shanghai, and Jiangsu-Zhejiang. Winter bamboo shoots are the young buds that grow from the rhizomes of Moso bamboo. They develop in summer and are harvested after growing through the winter, hence the name “winter bamboo shoots.” These shoots have tender, juicy flesh that is crisp and refreshing...
Natural Chinese herbal medicines The county of Suining is known as a magical oasis, blessed with exceptionally rich natural resources. It boasts a vast variety of natural Chinese herbal medicines in abundant reserves, with over 1,590 species of plants and animals suitable for medicinal use. These include 1,413 species of plant-based medicines from 109 families and 547 genera, and 166 species of animal-based medicines from 100 families and 146 genera,…
At Miao wedding banquets in Chengbu, there is a uniquely flavored dish called “Fragrant Chili.” Its spicy, crisp, and aromatic qualities are celebrated throughout the Miao region. The preparation method is as follows: generally between the seventh and eighth lunar months, large and fresh green chilies are selected and briefly blanched in boiling water to soften them. They are then removed and a small slit is made in each chili using scissors or a small bamboo skewer...
Geographical Scope The geographical scope of Qiaoshan Navel Oranges includes the towns and townships within Xinning County, Hunan Province: Shuimiao Town, Feixianqiao Township, Qiaoshan Town, Jinshi Town, Wantang Township, Baisha Town, Huanglong Town, Qingjiangqiao Township, Gaoqiao Town, Anshan Township, Matouqiao Township, Futian Township, Huilong Town, Xuntuan Township, Yidushui Township, and Jingwei Township. The longitude ranges from 110°28′53″ to 111°18′34″ east, the latitude from 26°13′06″ to 26°55′21″ north, and the elevation from 230 to 550 meters. The production area covers 16,660 hectares, with an annual yield of 150,000 tons and annual sales revenue of 300 million yuan.
"Master Man" is a type of marinated dried tofu, made using traditional handmade techniques from Xinning County in Hunan Province, then processed with modern high-tech methods and vacuum-packed in small bags. It has been selected as one of Hunan Province’s top ten specialty foods. Master Man...
Fully Meaty Magnolia Slices belong to the category of mountain delicacies and are known as the "ginseng of the south." They are a famous traditional local specialty of Xinning with a long production history. The processed Fully Meaty Magnolia Slices not only feature a fresh, snow-white appearance, rich aroma, crisp texture, and delicious taste, but also retain the original vitamins, proteins, sugars,...
Sweet Wine Glutinous Rice Balls Sweet Wine Glutinous Rice Balls are a traditional folk food from Xinning with a long history. The dish is made by finely grinding glutinous rice with water, allowing it to settle, then shaping it into delicate balls. These are then cooked in a fresh sweet wine broth, brought to a boil, and served as soon as the balls float to the surface. The balls are tender yet not sticky, melting in your mouth — one bowl is an unforgettable taste experience.…
Bao Kou Tofu Near Bao Kou Street in Qingjiang Township, there is a clear and miraculous spring that flows ceaselessly. The tofu made using this water is white in color, delicious in taste, and has excellent chewiness. A local saying goes: “Bao Kou tofu needs no oil—when lifted with chopsticks, it drips from both ends.” “Nowadays, most people in Bao Kou are in the tofu business, transporting dried tofu to the city to sell…”
Blood Sauce Duck is a long-renowned local dish from Xinning. A local duck is selected, slaughtered, and then plucked and gutted. It is stir-fried over high heat until about 80% cooked, then salt and a small amount of shredded red chili are added, and the mixture is simmered for another five minutes. Blood sauce and spices are then added to complete the dish. Its color resembles that of red-braised cuisine, but its flavor is even more exceptional, leaving diners with a greatly stimulated appetite.…
The production of Xinning New Year Cake has a long history. Legend has it that long ago, a monster known as the “Nian Beast” appeared in the forests of this region. The Nian Beast was unpredictable, trampling crops, harming both people and livestock. It was extremely fierce and cunning, making it impossible for hunters to catch. A hunter named Chen Liu decided to make a sticky rice cake stuffed with soybean flour, …